Linda Cliatt-Wayman

Linda Cliatt-Wayman is a nationally recognized education leader, TED speaker, and author whose fearless approach to transforming struggling schools has inspired millions. Her acclaimed TED Talk on fixing broken schools has been viewed over two million times and translated into more than thirty languages, and she was named a Top 50 Finalist for the 2016 Global Teacher Prize from over eight thousand nominees worldwide.

Transforming Schools Through Love and Leadership

Growing up in poverty in North Philadelphia, Cliatt-Wayman experienced firsthand the injustice facing low-income students. After twenty years as a special education teacher, she became principal of three underperforming North Philadelphia high schools, leading dramatic turnarounds at each. At Rhodes High School, she raised math proficiency from 3 percent to above 50 percent and achieved a 94 percent college acceptance rate. At Strawberry Mansion High School, she removed the school from the federal Persistently Dangerous Schools list for the first time in five years.

A Voice for Educational Justice

Cliatt-Wayman also served as Assistant Superintendent of High Schools for the School District of Philadelphia, overseeing all fifty-two district high schools. Her book Lead Fearlessly, Love Hard has become essential reading for educators. She was featured by Diane Sawyer on ABC World News Tonight and Nightline, and is the founder of CurrentlyTrending, a nonprofit helping students escape poverty through coaching and support.

Cliatt-Wayman’s keynotes ignite audiences with her powerful message that every child deserves a champion who believes in them unconditionally.

What does Linda Cliatt-Wayman speak about?

Linda Cliatt-Wayman speaks about leading schools and organizations with courage and accountability. Her TED talk, How to Fix a Broken School? Lead Fearlessly, Love Hard, is the heart of her message.

What is Linda Cliatt-Wayman’s background?

Linda Cliatt-Wayman is known for: her work as an educator and principal in North Philadelphia. She taught special education for twenty years, led FitzSimons High School and then Strawberry Mansion High School, opened The Young Women’s Leadership School at Rhodes, and later served as Assistant Superintendent of High Schools for the School District of Philadelphia. She presented at TED Women.

Who books Linda Cliatt-Wayman to speak?

Meeting planners book Linda Cliatt-Wayman for education conferences, school district leadership programs, women’s conferences, and corporate leadership events. She has spoken at the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Conferences for Women and the Raytheon Leadership Conference.

• How to Fix a Broken School? Lead Fearlessly, Love Hard